Wallace Foster Bennett (November 13, 1898 – December 19, 1993) was an American businessman and politician. A member of the Republican Party, he served as a United States Senator from Utah from 1951 to 1974. He was the father of Bob Bennett, who later held his seat in the Senate (1993–2011).[1]

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Wallace Bennett was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to John Foster and Rosetta Elizabeth (née Wallace) Bennett.[2] His grandparents were English immigrants who came to the United States in 1868.[3] He received his early education at local public schools, and graduated from LDS High School in 1916.[4] He then enrolled at the University of Utah, where he majored in English and won a varsity letter in debating.[4]

In 1920, Bennett returned to Salt Lake City and became an office clerk at Bennett's Paint and Glass Company, which his father had established.[6] He was later advanced to cashier, production manager, and sales manager.[4] He became secretary-treasurer of the company in 1929 and, following his father's death in 1938, became president and general manager.[6] He served in that position until 1950, when he became chairman of the board.[3] In 1938, the company completed what Bennett described as the most modern paint manufacturing plant in the West.[4]

In addition to his work in his family's business, Bennett organized a Ford dealership known as the Bennett Motor Company, serving as its president from 1939 to 1950.[6] He also served as president of the Cardon Jewelry Company and of the National Glass Distributors Association; vice-president of Glayton Investment Company and of the National Paint, Varnish and Lacquer Association; and director of Zion's Savings Bank and Trust Company, the Utah Oil Refining Company, and the Utah Home Fire Insurance Company.[4] In 1949, he was elected president of the National Association of Manufacturers.[6] He spent his year-long tenure as president traveling the country, preaching "the partnership of the men who put up the money, the men who do the work, and the men who tie the whole thing together."[4]

He hosted a daily one-hour program called The Observatory Hour on KSL (1932–1933), and was president of the Salt Lake Civic Opera Company (1938–41) and the Salt Lake Community Chest (1944–1945).[3] In 1935, he became treasurer of the Latter-day Saints Sunday School General Board.[4] He directed the chorus of student nurses of LDS Hospital (1942–48), and wrote the words to God of Power, God of Right which is Hymn #20 in the 1985 Latter-day Saints Hymnal.[3] He authored Faith and Freedom (1950) and Why I am a Mormon (1958).[6]

In March 1950, Bennett announced his candidacy for a seat in the United States Senate from Utah.[3] After receiving the Republican nomination, he faced three-term Democratic incumbent Elbert D. Thomas in the general election.[8] During the campaign, he accused Thomas of having Communist positions and circulated pamphlets associating Thomas with Communist organizations and figures.[8] In November, he defeated Thomas by a margin of 54%-46%.[9] He was subsequently re-elected to three more terms.[6]

Following his departure from the Senate, Bennett returned to Salt Lake City and resumed his business pursuits, serving on a variety of boards.[5] When his son Robert was elected to his former Senate seat in 1992, the elder Bennett said, "Bob and I have made Utah history. We are the first father and son combination to be elected to the U.S. Senate in this state."[1]